Is it okay to store guns in the basement?

The safest place would be in a basement or on the first floor of your home on a concrete slab. Consider the elements where you live. If the area you live in is very humid, consider installing a gun safe dehumidifier to protect the safe and your guns.

Is it bad to store guns in a basement?

Typically, the basement is one of the best locations for our gun safes since we can secure the gun safes to the concrete slab floor. However, it's also important that we make sure that our basement isn't too humid. We can use a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity and prevent any damage to our guns and gun safes.

Will guns rust in a safe in basement?

Fire-board that acts as insulation against heat and fire can absorb moisture. When moisture gets into your gun safe, it can harm whatever items you keep inside it: Cash, photos, and documents can mildew and smell musty. Guns can rust.

Can you put a gun safe in a damp basement?

A location where you put a safe is important as there are some areas at home which are higher in humidity level like a basement. You should not put a gun safe directly in the basement. Concrete floors can also vary widely in terms of strength and durability.

Is it bad to store guns in the cold?

However, the cold isn't the problem that directly affects your guns. It's the humidity that develops from frigid weather. Moisture is the mortal enemy of firearms because it causes them to rust. The ideal temperature you should keep your safe at is around 70°F.

How to Store Your Guns

Where not to store a gun safe?

The dampest area in your home can be your basement, which makes it a less-than-favorable place to put a safe. More gun safes experience problems because of humidity and moisture than from burglaries or fires. Even when a safe is kept closed, humidity can still get inside and damage firearms and other items inside.

What temperature is bad for guns?

Storing ammo in a car isn't likely to set it off. Bullets have to get up to around 400 degrees before they start spontaneously discharging.

Is moisture bad for a gun?

What should my gun safe humidity level be? According to the NRA, your safe should be kept between 30%-50% humidity at 70 degrees room temperature is the perfect storage condition to help prevent rust and corrosion. If the air becomes dryer than 20%, you could see issues with your gun stocks.

Is humidity bad for guns?

The ideal humidity for gun storage is 50%.

If you live in a part of the country where humidity is over 50%, rust can form on your firearms. Even if you store your firearms in a gun safe, humidity can seep inside. To prevent this, you need a dehumidifier that will dry and circulate the air.

Are basements naturally damp?

Basements have a knack for getting wet and developing problems in summer. This is pretty normal, as it's a time when humidity is at its peak. The air gets musty, carpets develop stains, wood decays or rots, and moisture droplets form on the cold basement floor and walls.

Can sweat rust a gun?

Sweat in particular can cause more gun rust because in addition to the moisture, our sweat is high in salinity. Salt is also corrosive. The hotter it is, the more we sweat, and if we do so while handling a piece, there is a greater likelihood it's going to be exposed to damaging moisture and salt.

Should you put a safe in the basement?

The problem with basements is they tend to be damp. This can be bad because not only could it cause corrosion to the safe's exterior, but the moisture can also get inside and cause your valuables and firearms to rust.

Will metal rust in a basement?

Your basement is humid

High levels of humidity can result in the formation of rust. The air moisture condenses when it comes into contact with the cold metal surface to form water droplets. This creates the perfect environment for the formation of rust.

What should not be stored in a basement?

Is it OK to store ammo in basement?

So, you've lost your investment and need to spend more money buying more cartridges. It is highly recommended that you don't store your ammo in damp basements, on or in the ground, or anywhere on the floor. The best place to store your ammunition is in an air-tight, water-tight ammo container.

Will guns rust in storage?

If you are the owner of a new gun (or are concerned now more than ever about protecting the piece you have), you should know that proper storage is an imperative. Guns are made with metal, and all metal has potential to rust or corrode. To prevent gun rust, Zerust has a number of gun storage solutions.

What is the best environment to store guns?

Firearms must be stored unloaded and in a locked location, separate from ammunition. The storage area should be cool, clean, and dry. Storing firearms in closed gun cases or scabbards isn't recommended because moisture can accumulate. Store guns horizontally, or with the muzzle pointing down.

Can you shoot a gun dry?

In some cases, like with semi automatic handguns or revolvers, if there is no bullet for a firing pin to strike, it will strike the hard steel chamber and cause damage. However, in most cases, dry firing is completely safe for your gun.

Can a gun safe be too dry?

It is so important to make sure that the temperature in your gun safe is just right. You probably already know that it should not be too humid, but did you also know that it should not be too dry? If it gets too dry, this means that your guns and rifles can become too dry and then develop possible corrosion.

Does moisture hurt bullets?

Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause your ammunition to rust and become corroded. This can warp your ammo and make it unsafe to shoot — effectively rendering your investment wasted. Using a dehumidifier to manage the air and keep your storage area dry will also help increase your ammunition shelf life.

Is it OK to store a gun safe in the garage?

Can gun safes be stored in the garage? Yes, it's still possible to place gun safes in the garage but you need to cope with some problems such as extreme temperature, fire risk, and easy access. Considering those risks help you to install a gun safe in the garage safely.

Should a gun safe be airtight?

At first glance, making sure a gun safe is airtight might seem like it gives the best protection against water seeping in. However, the opposite is actually true. Gun safes aren't airtight because this could lock in moisture that damages firearms.

Does ammo go bad?

Ammo that is not stored properly can fail to fire or not fire as expected. While ammo generally does not have a shelf life, it can go bad. Modern ammo is generally manufactured for longer storage life.

Is it bad to store guns in the heat?

Prolonged exposure to extreme conditions may result in corrosion, pitting, wood stocks cracking, etc. The major problem with storing your firearm is humidity. Depending on the finish, you might find a firearm with a lot of rust on it after a summer of sitting in your vehicle or safe.

Is it OK to store ammo in the cold?

Store In A Cool Location

The primer will begin to absorb moisture, which eventually will render your ammunition useless. It's important to keep your ammunition somewhere cool, but not somewhere too cold. According to SAAMI, the ideal temperature for ammunition storage is between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.